Nopales Prickly Pear Cactus Stew Recipes

NOPALES EN ESCABECHE

Steps:

• Toss the diced nopales with about 2 tablespoons of salt and let them drain in a colander in the sink for 20 to 30 minutes, while you chop the other vegetables. When you're done, rinse the nopales quickly under cold water.
• Put the oil in a large pan and get it hot. Add the onion and saute for 2 minutes. Add the carrots, jalapenos, garlic and nopales. Turn the heat to medium-high and stir-fry. You will soon see the slime. Cook vigorously until the slime cooks away, about 10 minutes, stirring often.
• Add the water, oregano, bay leaves and vinegar and stir well. Bring to a boil, then move this into clean Mason jars. Seal and let cool. Store in the fridge or water-bath can them.

NOPALITOS WITH TOMATOES AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Sauté the onions, garlic, and jalapeño: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil (enough to coat the bottom of the pan) in a large sauté pan on medium high heat. Add red onion, garlic, and jalapeño. Cook for a minute, stirring occasionally.
• Add the nopalitos, then the tomatoes: Add the nopalitos. Cook for several more minutes. Then add the chopped tomato. Continue to cook until all vegetables are cooked through.
• Season, then serve: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

NOPALES (PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS) STEW

Steps:

• How to prepare the Nopales: Slice up the pads first lengthwise then horizontally. You should have cuts of various sizes. Boil in water for 5-6 min. Strain in colander and repeat. The nopales are now prepared.
• Chop and saute the onion and garlic.
• Pour all the cans into the crock pot (pour everything inside the cans). Dump the shredded chicken, prepared nopales, and sauteed garlic and onions into the crock pot as well. Stir everything until properly mixed.
• Use whatever time interval on the crock pot fits your schedule. Make sure dish is warm before serving. A Dutch Oven can be used as substitute for the crock pot. Again make sure stew is warm and ready before serving. Suggest chips and fresh fruit (preferably tropical) for accompaniment.

BEEF STEW WITH CACTUS - CARNE GUISADA CON NOPALITOS

Steps:

• Trim off the glochids and spines from two paddles of prickly pear cactus.
• Cut into 1/2 inch dice and cook in boiling salted water until the color changes to olive green.
• Drain and set to the side.
• Fill a small saucepan with water and bring to the boil; add the chiles and cook for about ten minutes or until fork tender.
• Drain well and remove the stems.
• Whirl in a blender and filter through cheesecloth or a mesh strainer to remove seeds; set to the side.
• Heat a medium skillet over medium heat.
• Add oil and sautee the onion until transparent.
• Add the meat and brown well, taking care not to scorch the onions.
• Add the salt, pepper, chile puree, garlic, tomato and about one cup of water.
• Cover and simmer lightly for about 30 minutes, or until tender (check towards the end of the cooking time to see if you need more liquid). If meat isn't tender, you may need to cook for another 15 minutes or so.
• Add the cooked nopalitos and stir well.
• Serve while hot.